Laura Tingle in conversation with Fleur Anderson

Laura Tingle and Fleur Anderson will be in conversation on Laura's new Quarterly Essay: Follow the Leader. Democracy and the Rise of the Strongman. What has gone wrong with political leadership in Australia? And are things likely to change with a change of leader or government?

In this crisp and timely essay, Laura Tingle examines political leadership in general - some profiles in courage, and cunning - as well as styles of leadership. She looks at Macron and Merkel, Keating and Obama.

Tingle notes that leaders must command not only their country, but also their party. Where does this leave Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten? She observes that Turnbull came to power seeking to do the opposite of everything Tony Abbott did, but neither leader's approach has been seen as a success. Why? And what can Australia's next prime minister learn from this?

Laura Tingle is chief political correspondent for ABC TV's 7.30 and former Political Editor of The Australian Financial Review. She won the Paul Lyneham Award for Excellence in Press Gallery Journalism in 2004, and Walkley awards in 2005 and 2011. She is the author of Chasing the Future: Recession, Recovery and the New Politics in Australia and two acclaimed Quarterly Essays, Great Expectations and Political Amnesia.

Before joining 89 Degrees East Communications Agency as a Senior Consultant, Fleur Anderson was a senior political journalist and parliamentary sketch writer with The Australian Financial Review, a regular panellist on ABC's Insiders, Vice-President of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery and a founding member of the Canberra branch of Women in Media. Fleur Anderson is the author of On Sleep (MUP, 2018).

The vote of thanks will be given by Phil Coorey, Chief Political Correspondent of the Australian Financial Review.

Pre-event book signing will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.This event is in association with Dymocks Canberra and books will be available to purchase.